Callistemon viminalis plant named ‘CC19’

ABSTRACT

‘CC19’ is a distinctive variety of  Callistemon viminalis  which is characterized by the combination of a short height, finer textured foliage, auburn color of immature foliage and stability and uniformity of traits through successive cycles of asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Callistemon viminalis.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Callistemon viminalisdisclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘CC19’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofCallistemon viminalis, which has been given the variety denomination of‘CC19’. Its market class is that of an ornamental shrub. ‘CC19’ isintended for use in landscaping as a hedge shrub.

Parentage: The Callistemon viminalis variety ‘CC19’ was the result ofopen pollination of Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’ (unpatented)and was discovered at a commercial breeding facility in Clarendon, NewSouth Wales, Australia. In 2006 seed was collected from Callistemonviminalis ‘Captain Cook’ plants and many seedlings were grown. Fromthese seedlings, eight plants were selected for further testing. In 2009a final selection took place and one plant was then selected as thefinal candidate due to the combination of a short height, fine texturedfoliage, and auburn color of immature foliage. The plant was given thename ‘CC19’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘CC19’ was grown to a mature age and was found togrow uniform and 4 successive cycles of vegetative asexual propagationat a commercial breeding facility in Clarendon, New South Wales,Australia have proven to be true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘CC19’ is a distinctive variety of Callistemon viminalis which ischaracterized by the combination of a short height, fine texturedfoliage, and auburn color of immature foliage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows two ‘CC19’ plants, at far left and center, in the groundand unpruned, at approximately 3 years old with Callistemon viminalis‘Little John’, on the far right, shown for comparison. Note that ‘CC19’has auburn immature foliage and bright green mature foliage compared tothe greyed green foliage of ‘Little John’. It is also apparent that thefoliage of ‘CC19’ has a much finer texture when compared with that of‘Little John’

FIG. 2 shows the auburn colored new growth of ‘CC19’

FIG. 3 shows a typical inflorescence spike of ‘CC19’

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Callistemon viminalis known as ‘CC19’ based upon observationsof 24-month old plants grown from rooted cuttings into 200 mm nurserypots in full sun in open beds in Clarendon, New South Wales, Australiaduring spring 2009-summer 2010. Unless indicated otherwise, thedescriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made frommature ‘CC19’ plants grown in full sun from rooted cuttings filled withsoilless potting media, maintained with granular slow releasefertilizer, and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No pest anddisease measures were taken. Observation data was recorded in summer of2010.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘CC19’ has notbeen observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such characteristics are approximations or averagesset forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, 2001 edition.

A botanical description of ‘CC19’ and comparisons with other varietiesof Callistemon viminalis are provided below.

Technical Description of the Variety.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant habit.—Shrub; erect to semi erect, rounded and dense.        -   Height.—Approximately 100 to 150 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 100 to 150 cm.        -   Bloom period.—Spring.        -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 8 to 11.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Similar to the parent plants;            tolerates light shade, a wide range of soil conditions and            drought tolerant once established.        -   Pest and disease susceptibility or resistance.—In common            with the species, none of note.        -   Propagation.—Propagation is accomplished using softwood            cuttings. Roots well without rooting compound or hormone.        -   Time to develop roots.—2 to 4 weeks.        -   Crop time.—Approximately 12 months are needed to produce a            14-centimeter container with plant in flower, starting from            a rooted cutting.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching and habit.—Strong branching habit; branch angles            acute, branch attitude is erect to semi erect        -   Stem strength.—Woody and strong.        -   Shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Stem color.—Immature stem is closest to greyed orange RHS            168D. Mature basal stem color is closest to grey brown RHS            199D.        -   Stem dimensions.—Basal stems reach approximately 27 to 32 cm            in so length before branching; diameter is approximately 7            mm near the base.        -   Stem surface.—Corky, smooth. Immature stems are lightly            pubescent while mature stems are glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Ranges from 10 to 15 mm.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Cunneate.        -   Venation.—Pinnate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surfaces).—147A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surfaces).—137A.        -   Margins.—Mature margin is entire; immature margin is            ciliate.        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Texture.—Leathery.        -   Surfaces (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: lightly pubescent;            mature: glabrous.        -   Surfaces (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: lightly pubescent;            mature: glabrous.        -   Mature leaf dimensions.—Average length 59.2 mm, average            width 6.6 mm.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: varies from greyed            orange 167B to greyed orange 174A; mature: 137A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: varies from greyed            orange 167B to greyed orange 174A; mature: a slightly darker            hue of 137A in comparison with the adaxial surface.        -   Petiole.—None.        -   Stipules.—None.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Indeterminate, leafy spikes ranging in length            from 8 to 12 cm and an approximate width of 6 cm, comprised            of many small, sessile florets with exserted stamens.        -   Flowers.—Sessile. Sepals are immeasurably minute.            Inconspicuous corolla comprised of five unfused petals;            diameter across corolla is 9 to 11 mm (average of 10 mm).            Color of the corolla approximates to yellow-green (RHS 154C            or 154D). Non fragrant. Flowers of Callistemon are            distinguished by their brightly colored, exserted stamen            which give the spike a bottlebrush appearance.        -   Bud.—Many tightly grouped oblong or ovoid axillary buds            measuring approximately 7 mm long and 3 mm wide prior to bud            swell. Color approximates to 146B prior to bud swell.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Many; greater than 50.        -   Stamen color.—47B.        -   Stamen dimensions.—18 to 21 mm in length (average length is            18.4 mm) and very thin.        -   Attachment.—Each stamen joins floral tube independently:            Free.        -   Anther dimensions.—Minute.        -   Anther color.—Yellow.        -   Pollen.—Present.        -   Pistil.—One.        -   Pistil dimensions.—About 20 mm in length and very thin.        -   Pistil color.—47B.        -   Ovary position.—Half-Inferior.-   Fruit and seed production: Dehescent flowers reveal round, slightly    oblong seed capsules grouped tightly along the stem. Sessile.    Dimensions are 3 to 5 mm in diameter and 4 to 5 mm in length. Color    at maturity approximates to brown 200A. Seeds are many and minute    with a color close to greyed orange 166B.

Comparisons with Other Callistemon

‘CC19’ is characterized by the combination of a short height, finetextured foliage, red color of immature foliage when compared to that ofparent Callistemon viminalis ‘Captain Cook’ which has a medium plantheight and green new foliage. There are three commercially availablecultivars, known to the breeder, that have a similar habit and size as‘CC19’: Callistemon viminalis ‘Matthew Flinders’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.17,314) and Callistemon viminalis ‘Little Silver’ (unpatented) andCallistemon viminalis ‘Little Caroline’ (unpatented).

When compared with ‘Captain Cook’, ‘CC19’ has a plant height ofapproximately 1 to 1.5 m whereas ‘Captain Cook’ is approximately 2 mhigh. The foliage dimensions of ‘Captain Cook’ are similar to that of‘CC19’ as is the mature foliage color however the immature foliage of‘CC19’ is greyed orange 167B to greyed orange 174A in color whereas theimmature foliage color of ‘Captain Cook’ is yellow green 144B.

The cultivars ‘Matthew Flinders’, ‘Little Caroline’ and ‘Little Silver’all have a height and habit similar to that of ‘CC19’ and the maturefoliage color of each cultivar is a similar hue of green with onlynegligible differences between them. However, the unique greyed orangecolor of the immature foliage of ‘CC19’ is the primary distinguishingcharacteristic. The immature foliage of ‘CC19’ has a color palette thatranges from greyed orange 167B to greyed orange 174A whereas theimmature foliage color of each of the three cultivars listed above areall a very similar shade of yellow green that approximates to RHS 144B.

‘CC19’ also has notably finer foliage texture. Using the foliagelength-to-width ratio as a metric, ‘CC19’ has the finest foliage of allthree comparators. ‘CC19’ has a foliage length-to-width ratio of 8.97(with an average length of 59.2 mm and average width of 6.6 mm) whereasthe calculated ratio for cultivars ‘Matthew Flinders’, ‘Little Caroline’and ‘Little Silver’, respectively, are 5.33 (average length of 32.0 mmand width of 6.0 mm), 5.37 (average length of 45.4 mm and width of 8.4mm), and 6.12 (average length of 52.2 mm and width of 8.2 mm).

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Callistemonviminalis plant named ‘CC19’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.